New King & Queen of The Netherlands

With the abdication of Queen Beatrix of de Huis van Oranje-Nassau, The Netherlands has its first King in over 123 years after a long line of Queens.

What do you guys think about this topic both those Dutch and does who are not :3 ?

Below King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima.More photos following this link> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2316988/Queen-Beatrix-Netherlands-abdicates-Thousands-Dutch-turn-monarch-sign-away-throne.html

The thing that depresses me how much even today people are living in past, Kingdom and blah blah. Almost all the European countries have some monarchy still going on. People take pride in glorifying King & Queen but then they want to forget what those monarchies have done in the past. Under their rule the Dutch army has committed some of the worst crimes in certain colonies which they selectively hide but they do glorify the crimes committed by the Germans.

Not every Dutch was happy with all this celebration as they were pissed about how much tax money these people consume. Then again it was a big party here, no one cared as much about Kings as having fun, getting high and drunk.

More than any other modern monarchy, the Oranges are keenly aware that they serve at the wishes of the people, and not the other way around. The Netherlands was originally a republic, and was only made a kingdom after the defeat of Napoleon. They know that if they don't discharge their duties responsibly and in keeping with the constitution, the Dutch people have the right to end the monarchy.

It is worth noting that the queens really set the tone for the role of the Dutch monarchy, and that no other society has had female monarchs for such a long, uninterrupted stretch of time. Also, the fact that they "retire" when it's time to turn it over to a new generation is much more progressive and sensible than holding onto the throne until the bitter end.

Bharatiya saidPeople take pride in glorifying King & Queen but then they want to forget what those monarchies have done in the past. Under their rule the Dutch army has committed some of the worst crimes in certain colonies which they selectively hide but they do glorify the crimes committed by the Germans.

Exactly it's all in the past, move on. It's nice to see how popular they are with the people. Maxima is beautiful.

Bharatiya saidPeople take pride in glorifying King & Queen but then they want to forget what those monarchies have done in the past. Under their rule the Dutch army has committed some of the worst crimes in certain colonies which they selectively hide but they do glorify the crimes committed by the Germans.

Exactly it's all in the past, move on. It's nice to see how popular they are with the people. Maxima is beautiful.

Hmm, I don't see the same thing when Dutch people talk about Germans though.

Over 1,000 Facebook users have said they will be attending a rally in Amsterdam this Tuesday, to protest against the Dutch monarchy. The rally will coincide with Queen Beatrix’s official abdication and the investiture ceremony of her son Willem Alexander.

A number of anti-monarchy groups have come to the fore in recent weeks, demanding an end to the monarchy. The “This is 2013” group says on its website that it hopes the new king will be the last to take to the throne, and calls for a referendum on abolishing the constitutional monarchy in the Netherlands in favour of a republic.

Another anti-monarchy group, the NRG, is pursuing a similar objective, and would like to start by reducing the royal family’s cost to tax payers. The group has launched an online petition demanding the 850,000 euros currently allocated to the monarch as a working salary be dropped to 150,000 euros. The document has already gathered over 20,000 signatures.

In another e-petition some 40,000 web users are threatening to renounce their citizenship in protest of the King’s Song. Performed by fifty or so Dutch artists this official coronation anthem has come under much criticism, notably for its lyrics and their over laudatory praise for the monarchy. The local authorities did momentarily consider removing it from the day’s activities before finally deciding to keep it in.

Bharatiya saidThe thing that depresses me how much even today people are living in past, Kingdom and blah blah. Almost all the European countries have some monarchy still going on. People take pride in glorifying King & Queen but then they want to forget what those monarchies have done in the past. Under their rule the Dutch army has committed some of the worst crimes in certain colonies which they selectively hide but they do glorify the crimes committed by the Germans.

Not every Dutch was happy with all this celebration as they were pissed about how much tax money these people consume. Then again it was a big party here, no one cared as much about Kings as having fun, getting high and drunk.

How about instead of wallowing in self pity and the past which we can't change let us recognize most of those responsible for past atrocities are dead. Move on.

Bharatiya saidThe thing that depresses me how much even today people are living in past, Kingdom and blah blah. Almost all the European countries have some monarchy still going on. People take pride in glorifying King & Queen but then they want to forget what those monarchies have done in the past. Under their rule the Dutch army has committed some of the worst crimes in certain colonies which they selectively hide but they do glorify the crimes committed by the Germans.

Not every Dutch was happy with all this celebration as they were pissed about how much tax money these people consume. Then again it was a big party here, no one cared as much about Kings as having fun, getting high and drunk.

How about instead of wallowing in self pity and the past which we can't change let us recognize most of those responsible for past atrocities are dead. Move on.

Agreed. It's pretty pathetic when people try to attach certain past crimes according to nationality or race etc, especially when said people are completely dead and have no relation whatsoever to the living. Attaching past crimes to current people is no more illogical than blaming some random type of animal for the same crimes.

Agreed. It's pretty pathetic when people try to attach certain past crimes according to nationality or race etc, especially when said people are completely dead and have no relation whatsoever to the living. Attaching past crimes to current people is no more illogical than blaming some random type of animal for the same crimes.

First of all, how much old history are we suppose to discuss? Give me a time frame. I am not attaching previous crimes committed in the name of the Royal Kingdom to present generation Dutch but to the Monarchy and the government who were instrumental in carrying out all the atrocities. I hope you understand the fact that present government and the monarch can be held accountable for what the previous ones did.

Secondly, not everyone is dead. Do you have clue from what period I am talking about? It's only 1949, not some beginning of civilization. When the atrocities of Dutch army was compared to those of Nazis they came out to defend themselves which means some of them aren't dead yet. And when someone dies they leave behind their family and loved ones, I am not talking about some 2-3 generations but something like son, daughter etc.

This period of Dutch history has been very hush hush and no one even bothers to bring it up. So yeah go ahead and call me pathetic but then you need to acknowledge the hypocrisy that is going around here because the German crimes from the same time is still a floating news. Actually a large amount of Dutch population never knew what happened at that time until very recently. Until now no one has been put behind bar for all the atrocities committed by the Dutch army whereas tons of Nazis were executed or jailed. In any other case those army members would have been convicted under war crimes,

Agreed. It's pretty pathetic when people try to attach certain past crimes according to nationality or race etc, especially when said people are completely dead and have no relation whatsoever to the living. Attaching past crimes to current people is no more illogical than blaming some random type of animal for the same crimes.

First of all, how much old history are we suppose to discuss? Give me a time frame. I am not attaching previous crimes committed in the name of the Royal Kingdom to present generation Dutch but to the Monarchy and the government who were instrumental in carrying out all the atrocities. I hope you understand the fact that present government and the monarch can be held accountable for what the previous ones did.

Secondly, not everyone is dead. Do you have clue from what period I am talking about? It's only 1949, not some beginning of civilization. When the atrocities of Dutch army was compared to those of Nazis they came out to defend themselves which means some of them aren't dead yet. And when someone dies they leave behind their family and loved ones, I am not talking about some 2-3 generations but something like son, daughter etc.

This period of Dutch history has been very hush hush and no one even bothers to bring it up. So yeah go ahead and call me pathetic but then you need to acknowledge the hypocrisy that is going around here because the German crimes from the same time is still a floating news. Actually a large amount of Dutch population never knew what happened at that time until very recently. Until now no one has been put behind bar for all the atrocities committed by the Dutch army whereas tons of Nazis were executed or jailed. In any other case those army members would have been convicted under war crimes,

They have their dark times, all countries MONARCHIE or not have those, i can say a million things the US government has done, or Spain has done, etc. it's not a question of royalty or not, you just are against monarchies and try to justify it, just as you say they keep hush hush about it why don't you also mention all the things non-monarchies have done and still do? Also the Dutch Monarchie has almost no political power, their power is limited, also it could have been disbanded a long time ago but was kept of their own choice, and don't bring up colonies who suffered or such because i am from a foreign part of the Kingdom, Curaçao, i personally enjoy the royal family and they are very relaxed people and are very friendly with everyone and Beatrix is and still is known in the Kingdom as a Queen who acts like a friend of the people and always mingles not like royalty but as another citizen.

There may be people against the monarchie but there are those factions in every country who are against their governmental system, every country has it, so shut up unless you have something relevant to say.

Also on a funny note here is Queen Beatrix after a wave hit her when she stubbornly went ahead with a visit to a fisherman's village a few years ago, she didn't want to drop it just because of bad weather, she has spunk

CuriousJockAZ saidThere's probably a shocking number of Americans who couldn't even tell you where the Netherlands is -- much less know that they have a royal family.

Yeah I read a news about many pissed of Americans blaming Czech people for the recent Boston bomb blast as they were confused between chechnya and Czech Republic. There was a big article in the Economist.

They have their dark times, all countries MONARCHIE or not have those, i can say a million things the US government has done, or Spain has done, etc. it's not a question of royalty or not, you just are against monarchies and try to justify it, just as you say they keep hush hush about it why don't you also mention all the things non-monarchies have done and still do? Also the Dutch Monarchie has almost no political power, their power is limited, also it could have been disbanded a long time ago but was kept of their own choice, and don't bring up colonies who suffered or such because i am from a foreign part of the Kingdom, Curaçao, i personally enjoy the royal family and they are very relaxed people and are very friendly with everyone and Beatrix is and still is known in the Kingdom as a Queen who acts like a friend of the people and always mingles not like royalty but as another citizen.

There may be people against the monarchie but there are those factions in every country who are against their governmental system, every country has it, so shut up unless you have something relevant to say.

Yeah I am anti monarchy, why shouldn't I? Enjoying benefits just because you were born in some rich & privileged family. You can't tell me to shut up. It's a public forum not some Monarchy which you are used to. You can't justify one crime by comparing it with another. Both should be condemned.

850,000 euros is $1,121,320. That will be the King's salary.

In contrast the salary of the Prime Minister is 144,000 euros ($189,964)

Bharatiya saidPeople take pride in glorifying King & Queen but then they want to forget what those monarchies have done in the past. Under their rule the Dutch army has committed some of the worst crimes in certain colonies which they selectively hide but they do glorify the crimes committed by the Germans.

Exactly it's all in the past, move on. It's nice to see how popular they are with the people. Maxima is beautiful.

That can be said of any form of governemental 'power' that has come to force over the centuries, it's just dressed up in different names now. Ditto the above, the past is the past, they are making ammends and moving in a more progressive fashion, people obvioulsy like them and still in some way, idealise the idea of a King and Queen representing their country. Its a nice puff peice of news in an otherwise austere time....go The Oranges!!! ;)

They have their dark times, all countries MONARCHIE or not have those, i can say a million things the US government has done, or Spain has done, etc. it's not a question of royalty or not, you just are against monarchies and try to justify it, just as you say they keep hush hush about it why don't you also mention all the things non-monarchies have done and still do? Also the Dutch Monarchie has almost no political power, their power is limited, also it could have been disbanded a long time ago but was kept of their own choice, and don't bring up colonies who suffered or such because i am from a foreign part of the Kingdom, Curaçao, i personally enjoy the royal family and they are very relaxed people and are very friendly with everyone and Beatrix is and still is known in the Kingdom as a Queen who acts like a friend of the people and always mingles not like royalty but as another citizen.

There may be people against the monarchie but there are those factions in every country who are against their governmental system, every country has it, so shut up unless you have something relevant to say.

Yeah I am anti monarchy, why shouldn't I? Enjoying benefits just because you were born in some rich & privileged family. You can't tell me to shut up. It's a public forum not some Monarchy which you are used to. You can't justify one crime by comparing it with another. Both should be condemned.

850,000 euros is $1,121,320. That will be the King's salary.

In contrast the salary of the Prime Minister is 144,000 euros ($189,964)

Any reasonable and sensible person will find this thing ridiculous.

Dude, there's a great place for you to move to called North Korea, you would really dig into the socialist ideal there!! ;) I hear you BUT, in the same way as your parents worked hard to secure their future, and yours by default, why is it so wrong to benefit from it, build on it and then pass it onto your own generation. Them and us will always exist (unless you check in at Pyongyang central and even there it exists also) its the way the world has been created since Darwin suggested the theory of survival of the fittest, now its not muscle that rules the day but economic gravitas. Enjoy the orange, its a good karmic colour and it helps against scurvy...see, some monarchies aren't all that bad!!! ;)

afl35 saidDude, there's a great place for you to move to called North Korea, you would really dig into the socialist ideal there!! ;) I hear you BUT, in the same way as your parents worked hard to secure their future, and yours by default, why is it so wrong to benefit from it, build on it and then pass it onto your own generation. Them and us will always exist (unless you check in at Pyongyang central and even there it exists also) its the way the world has been created since Darwin suggested the theory of survival of the fittest, now its not muscle that rules the day but economic gravitas. Enjoy the orange, its a good karmic colour and it helps against scurvy...see, some monarchies aren't all that bad!!! ;)

What socialist ideal is here? I am no socialist. Just because I don't want them to enjoy on my taxes, I am a socialist. Where do North Korea figure out here? Out of logical argument or what? North Korea is no different from what Netherlands or colonial powers used to be.

My parents worked hard but they didn't pass me any heritage. I worked hard too for whatever I can manage right now. I didn't sit on my ass, got glorified and hoping that some day someone will just give me money because my parents had stashed some cash. Over that I am not spending tax money earned by someone else. Neither I have accumulated it from around the world by killing and pillaging.

Sure, the concept of a monarchy in the grand scheme of things is pretty silly in the 21st century. But the Dutch monarchy seems to be more mindful of their role in a modern democracy than their British counterparts. Beatrix was an intellectual heavyweight who chose a very active role in the political life of the country, and came to be referred to by some as the nation's CEO. Her son realizes that his role will be more ceremonial and symbolic, but--as the past three queens showed--these things can be very important touchstones for unity in times of crisis. Plus, he is a good representative for Dutch interests abroad.

The Dutch are very pragmatic. If the monarchy gets too burdensome or unpopular, they are more than happy to return to being a republic. The Oranges are keenly aware of this.

They have their dark times, all countries MONARCHIE or not have those, i can say a million things the US government has done, or Spain has done, etc. it's not a question of royalty or not, you just are against monarchies and try to justify it, just as you say they keep hush hush about it why don't you also mention all the things non-monarchies have done and still do? Also the Dutch Monarchie has almost no political power, their power is limited, also it could have been disbanded a long time ago but was kept of their own choice, and don't bring up colonies who suffered or such because i am from a foreign part of the Kingdom, Curaçao, i personally enjoy the royal family and they are very relaxed people and are very friendly with everyone and Beatrix is and still is known in the Kingdom as a Queen who acts like a friend of the people and always mingles not like royalty but as another citizen.

There may be people against the monarchie but there are those factions in every country who are against their governmental system, every country has it, so shut up unless you have something relevant to say.

Yeah I am anti monarchy, why shouldn't I? Enjoying benefits just because you were born in some rich & privileged family. You can't tell me to shut up. It's a public forum not some Monarchy which you are used to. You can't justify one crime by comparing it with another. Both should be condemned.

850,000 euros is $1,121,320. That will be the King's salary.

In contrast the salary of the Prime Minister is 144,000 euros ($189,964)

Any reasonable and sensible person will find this thing ridiculous.

Well if you had reasoning skills you'd realise monarchie or not, being born privileged is common, if you are born to high ranking politics you can lead a life better then that of royals, and i never justified any crime, but if you will condemn them for their crime you might as well condemn the entire world since there is worse, and as for that salary they invest quite a lot into organisations of the UN among others, not all for themselves, and the wish to lower their salary to 150.000 euros to alleviate tax payers is redundant, 850.000 euros a year is very little of what the Government invests, if they eliminated that 700.000 it wouldn't affect the tax level at all so it's just a wish to decrease the quality of life of the royals without it having any real positive outcome for anyone else.